Sidewalk-curb sealing member, assembly and method

ABSTRACT

A member for sealing a corner at the gap and intersection of curb and sidewalk portions of adjacent roadway slabs. The corner sealing member has first sealing flaps joined by a flexible sealing membrane for sealing the sidewalk portions of the adjacent slabs and second sealing flaps extending downwardly and away from the first flaps to confront curb portions of the adjacent slabs. A second membrane, continuous with the first membrane, joins the second flaps at a corner. The membranes and flaps are continuous with each other, respectively, and merge to form a corner. The corner sealing member is adapted to be sealingly secured with a sealing dam section secured to the sidewalk portions of the adjacent slabs and is adapted to extend into slots in a curb dam section secured to curb portions of the adjacent slabs, thereby to provide an assembly for effectively sealing the intersection of the curb and sidewalk portions of adjacent roadway slabs.

United States Patent [191 Moerk, Jr. et al.

[451 May 6,1975

[ SIDEWALK-CURB SEALING MEMBER,

ASSEMBLY AND METHOD [75] Inventors: John C. Moerk, Jr., Buffalo Grove;

Donald W. Malina, Des Plaines, both of I11.

[73] Assignee: Felt Products Mfg. Co., Skokie, ill.

[22] Filed: June 6, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 367,464

[52] US. Cl. 404/64; 52/573; 404/74 [51] Int. Cl. E01c 11/10 [58] Fieldof Search 404/47, 64, 65, 67, 74; 52/393, 403, 573; 14/16 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,103,337 12/1937 Oury 52/3962,545,705 3/1951 Riesner..... 52/573 X 3,118,523 l/1964 Girot 52/5733,299,598 l/1967 Alleaume. 52/573 X 3,395,505 8/1968 Lamy 52/573 X3,510,278 5/1970 Alleaume. 52/573 X 3,636,690 1/1972 White 52/6333,643,388 2/1972 Parr et a]. 52/403 X 3,650,184 3/1972 Kolm et al.404/50 3,713,368 l/1973 McDowell et al. 404/47 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 504,570 4/1939 United Kingdom 404/67 PrimaryExaminer-Marion Parsons, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Thomas J. Holko [5 7ABSTRACT A member for sealing a corner at the gap and intersec tion ofcurb and sidewalk portions of adjacent roadway slabs. The corner sealingmember has first sealing flaps joined by a flexible sealing membrane forsealing the sidewalk portions of the adjacent slabs and second sealingflaps extending downwardly and away from the first flaps to confrontcurb portions of the adjacent slabs. A second membrane, continuous withthe first membrane, joins the second flaps at a corner. The membranesand flaps are continuous with each other, respectively, and merge toform a corner. The corner sealing member is adapted to be sealinglysecured with a sealing dam section secured to the sidewalk portions ofthe adjacent slabs and is adapted to extend into slots in a curb damsection secured to curb portions of the adjacent slabs, thereby toprovide an assembly for effectively sealing the intersection of the curband sidewalk portions of adjacent roadway slabs.

20 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATEmEum" SL815.- 3 8 1 ,a35

sum 20F 2 fire, 2'0

SIDEWALK-CURB SEALING MEMBER, ASSEMBLY AND METHOD This invention relatesto an improved sealing assembly for sealing a narrow gap betweensidewalk and curb portions of adjacent roadway slabs as found, for example, on elevated highways and bridges.

To prevent damage to roadway slabs, and for other known reasons, it isimportant that the gap between adjacent roadway slabs be sealed againstthe passage of water and debris thereinto and therethrough. Meanseffective for this purpose have been disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,713,368entitled Road Joint Seal and End Dam Construction. Although devicesdisclosed in that patent are effective to provide reliable joint sealsin the main body of the gap between adjacent roadway slabs, the needremains for providing improved sealing de vices for the intersections ofsidewalk and curb portions of roadway gaps, and particularly where thesidewalk portion of the gap extends at an angle of other than 90 to thelongitudinal direction of the curb portion.

This invention provides an improved sidewalk-curb sealing system forsealing portions of the gap between adjacent roadway slabs. A gapsealing assembly of this invention includes a corner sealing member forsealing the gap between adjacent roadway slabs at the intersection ofcurb and sidewalk portions thereof. The corner sealing member is formedof a thin flexible elastomeric material and comprises a pair of firstgenerally flat coplanar expansive sealing flaps, one of which extendssidewardly from each side of a first central flexible membrane. Themembrane is adapted to overlie a portion of the sidewalk gap; The cornersealing member further includes a pair of generally flat expansivesealing flaps formed with the first flaps at the front edges thereof andextending downwardly and away from the first flaps. One of the secondflaps extends sidewardly from each side of a second flexible membrane.The second membrane is adapted to overlie a portion of a curb gap. Thefirst and second membranes are continuous and merge into each other toform a corner. The corner sealing member is adapted to be' sealinglysecured to roadway slab portions to overlie a portion of a roadway gapadjacent the intersection of curb and sidewalk portions of the adjacentslabs, thereby to provide a seal at that gap portion.

The gap sealing assembly of this invention further comprises a sealingdam section adapted to be secured to the curb portions of adjacentroadway slabs. The sealing dam section comprises a pair of generallyparallel spaced apart elongate elastomeric side pads, each of which sidepads has longitudinal side edges, an inner surface, an outer surface anda pair of spaced apart upper and lower ends. In use, the side pads aresealingly secured with a thin, elongate flexible joint membrane, thejoint membrane being adapted to span a portion of a curb gap and beingproportioned to flex and to move without exerting substantial reactionforces on the side pads. The upper ends of the side pads each define aslot extending from one longitudinal side edge toward, and which maystop short of the other longitudinal side edge, and from the upper endtoward, but stopping short of, the lower end. These slots open upwardly.

In use, a gap sealing assembly for sealing the gap between adjacentroadway slabs at the intersection of curb and sidewalk portions thereof,is provided by securing a sealing dam section to curb portions of theslabs with the joint membrane of the sealing dam section spanning thecurb gap. Thereafter, a corner member is positioned to overlie and tospan portions of the curb and sidewalk portions of the roadway, with thesecond flaps inserted into the slots of the sealing dam section and withthe second membrane portion confronting and overlying the joint membraneof the sealing dam section. At that time, the first flaps are positionedto be sealingly secured to sidewalk portion of the adjacent slabs, andthe first membrane portion is positioned to overlie and span a portionof the sidewalk gap. Thereafter, a further end dam section having a pairof side pads and a central joint membrane may be secured to the roadwaywith the side pads overlying the first flaps and with the central jointmembrane overlying and confronting the first membrane portion, therebyto provide a joint seal which effectively seals the intersection of thesidewalk-curb gap, and even where relative movement occurs between theadjacent roadway slabs.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent from the following description and drawings, of which:

FIG. I. is a schematic view of a portion of adjacent roadway slabsillustrating a typical sidewalk-curb intersection which may be sealed inaccordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a gap sealing assembly inaccordance with this invention;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, in which portions of the gap sealingassembly have been juxtaposed;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, in which all of the members of thegap sealing assembly have been juxtaposed;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a corner sealing member in accordance with thisinvention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a comer sealing member of FIG. 5 skewed to theside;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the corner sealing member of FIG.5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the corner sealing member of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a further corner sealing member inaccordance with this invention;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view (partially broken away) takensubstantially along the line ltl-l0 of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the corner sealing member of FIG. 9shown in an expanded condition;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view (partially broken away) takensubstantially along the line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the corner sealing member of FIG. 9shown in a compressed condition; and

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view (partially broken away) takensubstantially along the line ll4--l4l of FIG. 13.

Referring now to the drawings, F IG. 1 discloses a typical roadwaydefining a gap G between adjacent roadway slabs S. Gap G requiressealing. Slabs S define main roadway portions 12 which terminate attheir side edges in gutter portions. The gutter portions terminate incurb portions 14. Curb portions 114 terminate upwardly in generallyhorizontal portions which may be aprons or sidewalks, and forconvenience, the term sidewalk has been used herein to describe and torefer to portions 16. However, it will be understood that the termsidewalk is used in this application to describe the portions of roadwayslabs which extend sidewardly away from an intersection with the upperedges of curb portions 14. It is the portion of gap G adjacentintersection 20 of curb portions 14 and sidewalk portions 16 which theassembly of this invention is especially adapted to seal.

For reference purposes, the direction of travel on the roadway slabs Sis in the direction of the arrow T. The longitudinal direction of thecurb portions 14 of the slabs is the same. Gap G in the main roadway andsidewalk gap portion each are shown as extending at an angle of ninetydegrees to the longitudinal direction of the curb portions (as is shownin FIG. 16 of US. Pat. No. 3,713,368). However, other skew angles, suchas those typified by FIG. 17 of that patent, may also be sealed inaccordance with this invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 5, 7 and 8, curb and sidewalk portions 14 and16 have been prepared to receive a sealing member and assembly,preferably so as not to protrude from the roadway surface by providingsuitable notching along both sides of gap G. The curb notches 14A andthe sidewalk notches 16A may be preformed during the fabrication of theslabs S, or where an existing gapped roadway is to be sealed, roadwaymaterial may be removed as necessary to provide the notches.

A corner sealing member according to this invention is thin and ispreferably integrally molded of a flexible elastomeric material, such asnatural rubber, polychloroprene or nitrile rubber or the like. Cornersealing member 30 provides a pair of generally flat, coplanar expansivefirst sealing flaps 32, each of which extends sidewardly from one sideof a first central flexible membrane 34 which is adapted to overlie asection of sidewalk gap portion 24. Each of the first sealing flaps 32terminates forwardly in a front edge 36 at which generally flat coplanarexpansive second sealing flaps are provided. Each of the second flapsextends downwardly at an angle and away from the first flap to which itis connected. Each of the second flaps extends sidewardly away from asecond flexible membrane portion 40 which is adapted to overlie and tospan a segment of curb gap portion 22. First and second flexiblemembrane portions 34 and 40 are continuous and merge into each other toform a closed, watertight corner at 41. Each portion 34 and 40 assumesan upstanding arched configuration in transverse cross section.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-8, the angle at which thesecond flaps and second membrane portions intersect the first flaps andfirst membrane portion is about ninety degrees (see FIG. 7). However, itwill be appreciated that corner sealing members having first and secondportions which intersect at different angles may be made and useddepending upon the angle at which the curb portions 14 and sidewalkportions 16 of a particular highway intersect each other in transversecross section.

The curb or sidewalk sealing assembly further includes an elongate curbgap sealing member which, as seen in the drawings, is a sealing damsection 50. Sealing dam section comprises a pair of generally parallelspaced apart elongate elastomeric side pads 52, each of which has a pairof longitudinal side edges 54, an inner back surface 55, an outer frontsurface 56 and a pair of spaced apart upper ends 58 and lower ends 60.

Side pads 52 are formed integrally with a thin, elongate elastomericflexible joint membrane 62 which is proportioned to flex and to move,when the sealing dam section is secured to curb portions of a roadway,without exerting substantial reaction iorces on the side pads or on theroadway slabs. In transverse cross section, joint membrane 62 assumes anupstanding arched configuration.

The upper end of each of the side pads is provided with a generallyrectilinear slot 64 which extends from one longitudinal side edge 54sidewardly toward, but stopping short of the other longitudinal sideedge, and which extends downwardly from the upper end 58 toward, butstopping short of the lower end 60. Slots 64 preferably lie parallel tothe outer surfaces 56, and lie closer to the inner surfaces 55 than tothe outer surfaces, as is quite clear from FIG. 2. Each of the slots 64opens inwardly adjacent flexible joint membrane 62. Although a slot 64stopping short of the other longitudinal side edge has been illustrated,a slot extending between both longitudinal side edges may be used aswell.

When a sealing dam section and corner sealing member of this inventionare to be used to seal the intersection of curb and sidewalk portions ofa pair of adjacent roadway slabs, the side pads 52 of a sealing damsection 50 are secured to curb portions 14 within notches 14A, withmembrane 62 spanning the gap. This is preferably effected by a suitableadhesive and by suitable studs and nuts positioned to be received inbolt holes 66 in side pads 52. Side pads 52 may have their outersurfaces 56 generally level with the major surfaces of curb portions 14.

After a sealing dam section 50 has been secured in the manner described(as illustrated in FIG. 2), then a corner sealing member 30 is moved,generally from the position of FIG. 2 to the position of FIG. 3, thesecond sealing flaps 38 being moved downwardly into slots 64. Becausesecond sealing flaps 38 are relatively long, they will accommodate somevertical misalignment of the upper ends 58 of the side pads 52 with theportions 16 (or surfaces of notches 16A) of the sidewalk against whichfirst sealing flaps 32 are to lie. If the flaps 32 are spaced above theupper ends 58, the space between them is desirably filled with a sealantand mastic. When the sealing flaps 38 are moved into a position typifiedby FIG. 3, the second flexible membrane portion overlies and confrontsthe joint membrane 62 and the first sealing flaps 32 are positioned tobe directly sealed to sidewalk portions (in this case notch portions16A) of the slabs S. A suitable adhesive and mastic is provided betweenflexible membrane portion 40 and joint membrane 62 and between the flapsand the roadway portions, thereby to provide a substantial and permanentseal.

First sealing flaps 32 are then ready to be sealingly secured with asidewalk sealing member 70. Sidewalk sealing member provides a pair ofside pads 72, centrally joined by an elongate joint membrane 74.Sidewalk sealing member 70 may be substantially in accordance with theend dam assemblies of US. Pat. No. 3,713,368. Preferably the front faces76 of the side pads 72 may be chamfered so that when assembled asillustrated in FIG. 4, sharp corners are eliminated. When assembled, asillustrated in FIG. 3, sidewalk sealing member 70 lies with notches 16A,the lower surfaces of the side pads 72 lie against the first sealingflaps 32 and the joint membrane 74 overlies and confronts the firstmembrane portion 34, thereby to provide a seal therewith. Sidewalksealing member 70 may be secured, as by suitable studs and nuts andadhesive to the sidewalk portions 16, as in the manner described in U.S.Pat. No. 3,713,368. When assembled, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a sealingassembly provides a solid, secure, and substantial seal both adjacentthe gap G and over the gap via the overlapping and overlying membraneand membrane portions 74, 34 and 40, 62. It will be noted that theoverlapping arrangement provides a shingled effect with each lowermembrane portion being overlaid at its upper edge by the next uppermostmembrane portion, thereby to minimize potential leakage and seepageproblems.

Corner sealing member 30 also provides a pair of bulges, one such bulgebeing defined by each of the first flaps 32. Bulges 80 extend from apoint of beginning closely adjacent the intersections 36 of first andsecond sealing flaps rearwardly to a rearmost edge of the first flap.The bulges progressively increase in size toward the rearmost edges 82,as best seen in FIG. 8. Each bulge may have the configuration of alongitudinal half of a cone, with the base of the cone coinciding withthe flap edge 82. In such a case, a transverse section would begenerally semi-cylindrical. However, the bulge configuration may be ofother shapes, such as elliptical, or such as a simple upstanding pleator fold having a generally triangular transverse cross section or theremay be a series of smaller side-by-side bulges of conical or pleat typesto provide for skewing.

As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, when a roadway gap extends at a skew angle ofother than 90, such as is schematically illustrated by the dotted linesin FIG. 1, bulges 80 make it possible to skew the first membrane portionto an angle which coincides with the skew angle of the sidewalk gapportion 24, as by flattening one of the bulges 80. This in turn causesthe other bulge 80 to fold over, as is shown by FIG. 6. The bulges maybe proportioned to permit skewing at angles of about thirty degrees toeach side of a central or ninety degree position. If less than the fullskew permitted to one side is utilized, then each bulge will have to befolded and flattened somewhat when it is to be sealingly secured to theroadway in preparation for the superimposition of a sidewalk sealingmember 70.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 14, a furthercorner sealing member 130 is shown as comprising first sealing flaps132, a flexible membrane 134, second sealing flaps 138 and a flexiblemembrane portion 140. Each of the first sealing flaps 132 terminatesforwardly in a front edge 136 from which a second sealing flap 138extends downwardly. Flexible membrane 134 and flexible membrane portion140 are continuous and terminate and merge forwardly in a closed,watertight corner 141. Additionally, first sealing flaps 132 may eachprovide a bulge 180, which is like and which functions like bulges 80 ofcorner sealing member 30.

As seen in the drawings, corner 141 includes a first end face 142merging peripherally at 143 with the forward edges of flexible membrane134. Similarly, end face 144 merges peripherally at 145 with flexiblemembrane portion 140. Like the membrane and membrane portion, end faces142 and 144 are of a thin rubber or rubber-like elastic material whichis capable of flexing and stretching. The innermost ends of end faces142 and 144 terminate in a recess or depression 146 which extendsgenerally in the direction of the intersection or front edge 136 atwhich sealing flaps 132 and 138 meet.

By providing a corner, such as comer 141, it has been found that a comersealing member will be more highly flexible and will more easily expandand compress (see FIGS. 11-14) than with a corner construction, such ascorner 41. When a corner sealing member 130 is secured, as described andillustrated in connec tion with the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4, and whenthe adjacent roadway slabs to which it is secured contract (as in coldweather), whereby the gap increases in width, the corner sealing memberwill be pulled outwardly, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. That willcause the flexible membrane 134 and the flexible membrane portion 140 toflatten. End faces 142 and 144, in association with the depression 146,will promote closing of the corner, as shown by FIGS. 11 and 12, andwith less resistance to such flattening and expansion than tends toresult when a corner configuration, such as corner configuration 41 ofsealing member 30, is used.

Further, when the roadway gap closes, as by expansion of the adjacentroadway slabs, a corner sealing member 130 will be compressed, generallyto the condition illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14.

As seen there, the end faces, together with the depression 146, tend topromote movement of the corner portion 141 to the condition illustrated.Thus it is seen that the end face construction tends to promote movementof the end faces toward and away from each other, depending upon whetherthe gap widens or narrows.

End faces 142 and 144 have been illustrated as being generally flat inthe unstressed condition illustrated in FIG. 9. However, end faces 142and 144 may be convex or bulged outwardly slightly. Further, as seen inFIG. 10, the planes of the faces 142 and 144 may intersect generally atright angles, each face being substantially removed from the apex of theother membrane or membrane portion 134, 140. The planes of the end faces142 and 144 may, however, intersect at angles of other than a rightangle. To promote movement as illustrated in FIGS. 11-14, the end faces142, 144 should be substantially spaced from the apices of the othermembrane and and membrane portion.

The sealing dam section and sidewalk sealing members may be proportionedand sized generally in accordance with the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No.3,713,368. A comer sealing member may have second front sealing flapswhich are approximately 0.125 inch thick, the remainder of the cornersealing member being approximately 0.090 inch thick.

The use of a corner sealing member 30 in accordance with this invention,as with a sealing dam section 50 and with bulges 80 and particularly ofa comer sealing member 130, provides a highly flexible, highly effectivegap sealing assembly for the intersection between curb and sidewalkportions of adjacent roadway slabs. Relative movement under dynamicloading of the adjacent roadway slabs, and thus of the sealing flapsrespectively associated therewith, is accommodated through the centralmembrane of the corner sealing member and the joint membranes of thecurb and sidewalk sealing members. At the same time, a range of gap skewangles other than ninety degrees is accommodated as easily as gapsangled at ninety degrees to the longitudinal direction of the curbportions.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, from the foregoingdescription of presently preferred embodiments that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and,accordingly, it is intended that the scope of this invention shall belimited only in accordance with the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A corner sealing member for sealing a portion of a gap betweenadjacent roadway slabs at the intersection of curb and sidewalk portionsthereof, said member being formed of a thin, flexible elastomericmaterial, and comprising a pair of first, generally flat coplanarexpansive sealing flaps, one extending sidewardly from each side of afirst central, flexible membrane which is adapted to overlie a portionof a said gap, a pair of second, generally flat expansive sealing flaps,formed with said first flaps at front edges of said first flaps andextending downwardly and away from said first flaps, one of said secondflaps extending sidewardly from each side of a second flexible membranewhich is adapted to overlie a portion of a said gap, said first andsecond membranes being continuous and merging into each other to form acorner, each of said membranes terminating forwardly in an end face, theend faces closing the forward ends of the membranes, respectively, andwith said membranes forming said corner, said end faces being disposedto promote movement of the end faces toward and away from each otherwhen the gap portion widens and narrows, whereby when a said cornermember is sealingly secured to roadway slab portions to overlie aportion of a gap adjacent the intersection of curb and sidewalk portionsof said slabs, a seal will be provided at a said gap portion.

2. A corner sealing member for sealing a portion of a gap betweenadjacent roadway slabs in accordance with claim 1 in which each of saidmembranes is of an upstanding arched configuration, thereby toaccommodate relative movements of their associated sealing flaps withrespect to each other.

3. A corner sealing member for sealing a portion of a gap betweenadjacent roadway slabs in accordance with claim 2 in which said secondflaps and second membrane extend downwardly from said first flaps andfirst membrane at an angle of about 90.

4. A corner sealing member for sealing a portion of a gap betweenadjacent roadway slabs in accordance with claim 1 in which at least oneof said first flaps defines a bulge extending rearwardly from its frontedge to a rearmost edge of said first flap, said bulge progressivelyincreasing in size to said rearmost edge, thereby enabling said firstflexible membrane to be adjustably skewed to one side to enable it tooverlie a said gap portion within a range of angular directions in whicha sidewalk gap extends away from associated roadway curbing.

5. A corner sealing member for sealing a portion of a gap betweenadjacent roadway slabs in accordance with claim 4 in which each of saidmembranes is of an upstanding arched configuration, thereby toaccommodate relative movement of their associated sealing flaps withrespect to each other.

6. A corner sealing member in accordance with claim 1 in which theplanes of the end faces intersect each other generally at right angles.

7. A corner sealing member in accordance with claim 1 in which said endfaces terminate in a depression.

which promotes said movement of said end faces.

8. An elongate curb gap sealing member comprising a sealing dam sectionfor securance to adjacent roadway slabs supported for relative movementwith respect to each other and for sealing a curb gap therebetween, saidsealing dam section being adapted to be sealingly secured to adjacentroadway slabs and comprising a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apartelongate elastomeric side pads, each said side pad having longitudinalside edges, an inner surface, an outer surface and a pair ofspaced-apart upper and lower ends, a thin, elongate flexible jointmembrane sealingly secured to said side pads for sealingly spanning asaid curb gap and being proportioned to flex and to move withoutexerting substantial reaction forces on said side pads, the upper end ofeach of said side pads defining a slot between said inner and outersurfaces extending from one longitudinal side edge toward the otherlongitudinal side edge and from said upper end toward, but stoppingshort of, the lower end, said slot being spaced inwardly and away fromeach of said inner and outer surfaces.

9. An elongate curb gap sealing member in accordance with claim 8 inwhich said joint membrane assumes an upstanding arched configuration intransverse cross section, and in which each said slot terminates inconfronting relation to said joint membrane.

10. An elongate curb gap sealing member in accordance with claim 8 inwhich said side pads and joint membrane are integrally formed of rubber.

11. An elongate curb gap sealing member in accordance with claim 8 inwhich said slot extend toward, but stops short of said otherlongitudinal side edge.

12. A gap sealing assembly for sealing the gap between adjacent roadwayslabs at the intersection of curb and sidewalk portions thereof,comprising a sealing darn section secured to curb portions of adjacentroadway slabs, said sealing dam section comprising a pair of generallyparallel, spaced-apart elongate side pads, each said side pad havinglongitudinal side edges, an outer surface, an inner surface and spacedlower and upper ends, and a thin elongate flexible joint membranesealingly secured to said side pads and sealingly spanning the gapbetween said curb portions, the upper end of each of said pads defininga slot extending from one longitudinal side edge toward the otherlongitudinal side edge and from said upper end downwardly toward, butstopping short of the lower end, and a corner member sealing the gap atthe intersection of curb and sidewalk portions thereof, said memberbeing formed of a thin, flexible elastomeric material, and comprising apair of first, generally flat coplanar expansive sealing flaps, oneextending sidewardly from each side of a central, flexible membraneportion overlying a sidewalk portion of said gap, a pair of second,generally flat expansive sealing flaps, formed with said first flaps atfront edges of said first flaps and extending downwardly and away fromsaid first flaps, one of said second flaps extending sidewardly fromeach side of a flexible membrane portion, which flexible membraneportion overlies said flexible joint membrane, said first and secondmembrane portions being continuous and merging into each other to form acorner, and said second sealing flaps being disposed within said slots.

13. A gap sealing assembly in accordance with claim 12 in which saidjoint membrane and membrane portions have an upstanding archedconfiguration in transverse cross section.

14. A gap sealing assembly in accordance with claim 13 in which saidslots each tenninate in confronting relation to said joint membrane.

15. A gap sealing assembly in accordance with claim 12 in which saidsecond flaps and second membrane portion extend downwardly from saidfirst flaps and first membrane portion at an angle of about ninetydegrees.

16. A gap sealing assembly in accordance with claim 12 in which at leastone of said first flaps defines a bulge extending rearwardly from itsfront edge to a rearmost edge of said first flap, and bulgeprogressively increasing in size to said rearmost edge, said bulge beingflattened toward the plane of the first flaps and said first flexiblemembrane portion being skewed to one side to overlie a portion of asidewalk gap, said first flaps and said flattened bulge being sealinglysecured to said sidewalk portions.

17. A gap sealing assembly in accordance with claim 12 in which an enddam section comprising a pair of side pads and a central joint membraneis sealingly secured to said sidewalk portions and overlies said firstflaps and said first membrane portion.

18. A corner sealing member in accordance with claim 12 in which saidmembranes each terminate forwardly in an end face, the end faces closingthe forward ends of the membranes, respectively, and with said membranesforming said corner, said end faces being disposed to promote movementof the end faces toward and away from each other when the gap portionswidens and narrows.

19. A method of sealing the gap between roadway slabs of theintersection of curb and sidewalk portions thereof, the steps comprisingproviding a sealing dam section comprising a pair of generally parallel,spacedapart elongate side pads, each said side pad having longitudinalside edges, an outer surface, an inner surface and spaced lower andupper ends, and a thin elongate flexible joint membrane sealinglysecured to said side pads, the upper end of each of said side padsdefining a slot extending from one longitudinal side edge toward theother longitudinal side edge and from said upper end toward, butstopping short of the lower end, sealingly securing said sealing damsection to curb portions of said slabs with said joint membraneoverlying said curb gap, providing a corner member formed of a thin,flexible elastomeric material, said corner member comprising a pair offirst, generally flat coplanar expansive sealing flaps, one extendingsidewardly from each side of a central, flexible membrane portion, apair of second, generally flat expansive sealing flaps, formed with saidfirst flaps at front edges of said first flaps and extending downwardlyand away from said first flaps, one of said second flaps extendingsidewardly from each side of a second flexible membrane portion, saidfirst and second membrane portions being continuous and merging intoeach other to form a corner, securing said corner member to said roadwayslab portions with said second flaps disposed within said slots, withsaid first membrane portion overlying said sidewalk gap and with saidsecond membrane portion overlying said joint membrane, and sealing saidcorner member to said slabs and to said sealing dam section, thereby toseal the intersection of said curb and sidewalk portion of said slabs.

20. A method in accordance with claim 17, further comprising providingan end dam section having a pair of side pads and a central jointmembrane, and sealingly securing said end dam section to said sidewalkportions with said central joint membrane overlying said first membraneportion.

PAH M 3,881,835

9 DATED y 6 I 1975 I John C. Moerk, Jr. and Donald W. Malina It iscerhfied that error appears in the ab0ve-rdenhfied patent and that saidLetters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below;

Column 9, line 32 (Claim 18), "portions" should Q be portion Column 10,line 31 (Claim 20), numeral "17" should be l9 0 Signed and Scaled thisninezeemh D 3) 0f A ugust 9 75 [SEAL] Arrest: L

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Alluring ()I/rre ('nmmrrxsrmrvr u!PHH'III: and Trademarks

1. A corner sealing member for sealing a portion of a gap betweenadjacent roadway slabs at the intersection of curb and sidewalk portionsthereof, said member being formed of a thin, flexible elastomericmaterial, and comprising a pair of first, generally flat coplanarexpansive sealing flaps, one extending sidewardly from each side of afirst central, flexible membrane which is adapted to overlie a portionof a said gap, a pair of second, generally flat expansive sealing flaps,formed with said first flaps at front edges of said first flaps andextending downwardly and away from said first flaps, one of said secondflaps extending sidewardly from each side of a second flexible membranewhich is adapted to overlie a portion of a said gap, said first andsecond membranes being continuous and merging into each other to form acorner, each of said membranes terminating forwardly in an end face, theend faces closing the forward ends of the membranes, respectively, andwith said membranes forming said corner, said end faces being disposedto promote movement of the end faces toward and away from each otherwhen the gap portion widens and narrows, whereby when a said cornerMember is sealingly secured to roadway slab portions to overlie aportion of a gap adjacent the intersection of curb and sidewalk portionsof said slabs, a seal will be provided at a said gap portion.
 2. Acorner sealing member for sealing a portion of a gap between adjacentroadway slabs in accordance with claim 1 in which each of said membranesis of an upstanding arched configuration, thereby to accommodaterelative movements of their associated sealing flaps with respect toeach other.
 3. A corner sealing member for sealing a portion of a gapbetween adjacent roadway slabs in accordance with claim 2 in which saidsecond flaps and second membrane extend downwardly from said first flapsand first membrane at an angle of about 90*.
 4. A corner sealing memberfor sealing a portion of a gap between adjacent roadway slabs inaccordance with claim 1 in which at least one of said first flapsdefines a bulge extending rearwardly from its front edge to a rearmostedge of said first flap, said bulge progressively increasing in size tosaid rearmost edge, thereby enabling said first flexible membrane to beadjustably skewed to one side to enable it to overlie a said gap portionwithin a range of angular directions in which a sidewalk gap extendsaway from associated roadway curbing.
 5. A corner sealing member forsealing a portion of a gap between adjacent roadway slabs in accordancewith claim 4 in which each of said membranes is of an upstanding archedconfiguration, thereby to accommodate relative movement of theirassociated sealing flaps with respect to each other.
 6. A corner sealingmember in accordance with claim 1 in which the planes of the end facesintersect each other generally at right angles.
 7. A corner sealingmember in accordance with claim 1 in which said end faces terminate in adepression which promotes said movement of said end faces.
 8. Anelongate curb gap sealing member comprising a sealing dam section forsecurance to adjacent roadway slabs supported for relative movement withrespect to each other and for sealing a curb gap therebetween, saidsealing dam section being adapted to be sealingly secured to adjacentroadway slabs and comprising a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apartelongate elastomeric side pads, each said side pad having longitudinalside edges, an inner surface, an outer surface and a pair ofspaced-apart upper and lower ends, a thin, elongate flexible jointmembrane sealingly secured to said side pads for sealingly spanning asaid curb gap and being proportioned to flex and to move withoutexerting substantial reaction forces on said side pads, the upper end ofeach of said side pads defining a slot between said inner and outersurfaces extending from one longitudinal side edge toward the otherlongitudinal side edge and from said upper end toward, but stoppingshort of, the lower end, said slot being spaced inwardly and away fromeach of said inner and outer surfaces.
 9. An elongate curb gap sealingmember in accordance with claim 8 in which said joint membrane assumesan upstanding arched configuration in transverse cross section, and inwhich each said slot terminates in confronting relation to said jointmembrane.
 10. An elongate curb gap sealing member in accordance withclaim 8 in which said side pads and joint membrane are integrally formedof rubber.
 11. An elongate curb gap sealing member in accordance withclaim 8 in which said slot extend toward, but stops short of said otherlongitudinal side edge.
 12. A gap sealing assembly for sealing the gapbetween adjacent roadway slabs at the intersection of curb and sidewalkportions thereof, comprising a sealing dam section secured to curbportions of adjacent roadway slabs, said sealing dam section comprisinga pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart elongate side pads, each saidside pad having longitudinal side edges, an outer surface, an innersurface and spaced lower and upper ends, and a thin elongate flexiblejoint membrane Sealingly secured to said side pads and sealinglyspanning the gap between said curb portions, the upper end of each ofsaid pads defining a slot extending from one longitudinal side edgetoward the other longitudinal side edge and from said upper enddownwardly toward, but stopping short of the lower end, and a cornermember sealing the gap at the intersection of curb and sidewalk portionsthereof, said member being formed of a thin, flexible elastomericmaterial, and comprising a pair of first, generally flat coplanarexpansive sealing flaps, one extending sidewardly from each side of acentral, flexible membrane portion overlying a sidewalk portion of saidgap, a pair of second, generally flat expansive sealing flaps, formedwith said first flaps at front edges of said first flaps and extendingdownwardly and away from said first flaps, one of said second flapsextending sidewardly from each side of a flexible membrane portion,which flexible membrane portion overlies said flexible joint membrane,said first and second membrane portions being continuous and merginginto each other to form a corner, and said second sealing flaps beingdisposed within said slots.
 13. A gap sealing assembly in accordancewith claim 12 in which said joint membrane and membrane portions have anupstanding arched configuration in transverse cross section.
 14. A gapsealing assembly in accordance with claim 13 in which said slots eachterminate in confronting relation to said joint membrane.
 15. A gapsealing assembly in accordance with claim 12 in which said second flapsand second membrane portion extend downwardly from said first flaps andfirst membrane portion at an angle of about ninety degrees.
 16. A gapsealing assembly in accordance with claim 12 in which at least one ofsaid first flaps defines a bulge extending rearwardly from its frontedge to a rearmost edge of said first flap, and bulge progressivelyincreasing in size to said rearmost edge, said bulge being flattenedtoward the plane of the first flaps and said first flexible membraneportion being skewed to one side to overlie a portion of a sidewalk gap,said first flaps and said flattened bulge being sealingly secured tosaid sidewalk portions.
 17. A gap sealing assembly in accordance withclaim 12 in which an end dam section comprising a pair of side pads anda central joint membrane is sealingly secured to said sidewalk portionsand overlies said first flaps and said first membrane portion.
 18. Acorner sealing member in accordance with claim 12 in which saidmembranes each terminate forwardly in an end face, the end faces closingthe forward ends of the membranes, respectively, and with said membranesforming said corner, said end faces being disposed to promote movementof the end faces toward and away from each other when the gap portionswidens and narrows.
 19. A method of sealing the gap between roadwayslabs of the intersection of curb and sidewalk portions thereof, thesteps comprising providing a sealing dam section comprising a pair ofgenerally parallel, spaced-apart elongate side pads, each said side padhaving longitudinal side edges, an outer surface, an inner surface andspaced lower and upper ends, and a thin elongate flexible joint membranesealingly secured to said side pads, the upper end of each of said sidepads defining a slot extending from one longitudinal side edge towardthe other longitudinal side edge and from said upper end toward, butstopping short of the lower end, sealingly securing said sealing damsection to curb portions of said slabs with said joint membraneoverlying said curb gap, providing a corner member formed of a thin,flexible elastomeric material, said corner member comprising a pair offirst, generally flat coplanar expansive sealing flaps, one extendingsidewardly from each side of a central, flexible membrane portion, apair of second, generally flat expansive sealing flaps, formed with saidfirst flaps at front edges of said first flaps and extending downwardlyanD away from said first flaps, one of said second flaps extendingsidewardly from each side of a second flexible membrane portion, saidfirst and second membrane portions being continuous and merging intoeach other to form a corner, securing said corner member to said roadwayslab portions with said second flaps disposed within said slots, withsaid first membrane portion overlying said sidewalk gap and with saidsecond membrane portion overlying said joint membrane, and sealing saidcorner member to said slabs and to said sealing dam section, thereby toseal the intersection of said curb and sidewalk portion of said slabs.20. A method in accordance with claim 17, further comprising providingan end dam section having a pair of side pads and a central jointmembrane, and sealingly securing said end dam section to said sidewalkportions with said central joint membrane overlying said first membraneportion.